Athletic frame; loose limbs; likely filled out but might be able to put a tick more muscle on frame; stands open on the mound from the third base side; 3/4th arm slot; above-average arm speed; exaggerated stab; drops bottom half on windup (UVA knee bend); foot lands outward and opens up body; falls off to right side; delivery was inconsistent and top half did not sync with bottom half; generates downhill plane but lacks sufficient drive at times, mainly in latter half of outing; trouble replicating arm slots due to the inconsistencies in his mechanics; quick to home initially with 1.13 – 1.20 delivery times; slowed down entire body when mechanics became loose and inconsistent in third/fourth innings; delivery times were around 1.40; battled for the remainder of the game to regain his mechanics.

Evaluator

Tucker Blair

Report Date

04/04/2015

Affiliate

(, )

Dates Seen

4/4/15

OFP

55

Realistic

45; #5 SP / Swingman

MLB ETA

2017

Video

No

Pitch Type

Present Grade

Future Grade

Sitting Velocity

Peak Velocity

Report

FB

50

55

89-92

93

Fringe-average command; release point issues in the middle innings; pitch has natural armside run that mixes well with mild boring action; pounded inside half of zone with pitch for most of the outing; pitched flattened and floated over the heart of the zone when front side opened up and mechanics became loose.

CB

45

55

80-83

85

Fringe command; sweeping action much like a SL; release points were inconsistent; struggled to find a balance; slowed his body down in the third/fourth inning primarily on the CB; when effective the pitch shows late and hard bite; best pitch of the day was a backdoor CB for a swinging strike; flashed above-average and can stay there with more consistency in release points and mechanics.

CH

50

55

80-85

85

Fringe-average command; pitch has natural armside run similar to FB; tumbling action with fade; threw many during this outing; doubling and tripling up at times; release points were inconsistent; pitch floated in and up a few times; generated most of his swinging strikes on the offering; replicates arm speed.

Overall

This was an up-and-down day for the UVA starter, flashing above average stuff (7 K) while struggling with mechanics throughout the campaign. The mechanics, especially the exaggerated stab, leave me with questions in regards to his ability to consistently pound the strike zone. The above-average stuff was visible throughout the outing, but the mechanics are in need of much work. Kirby was missing his spots, but he was missing low for most of the outing. It was not until the last two innings where he was missing high and the front side was completely opening up. Kirby has enough talent to go in the first round, but based on my initial viewing, I see a pitcher likely in the mid portion of the round. There is a feel for pitching, but the mechanics need refinement.